Well known criminal connected to Ballyfermot gang linked to this morning’s heroin and guns bust

Two men aged 41 and 34 years were arrested and are currently being held in Tallaght garda station in connection with the seizure of €3,000,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.

The vehicle the men were travelling in was also found to contain an AK-47 assault rifle, two .22 rifles, a loaded pump action shotgun along with ammunition, silencers and telescope sights.

The seizure has been linked to a well-known drugs gang based in Ballyfermot, which is led by a man in his 40s with no convictions, but who is known to gardai.

The seizure was carried out as part of a carefully planned operation with adequate resources to ensure the drugs and weapons were isolated quickly and safely, according to sources.

"Being caught with that much drugs and weapons carries a very long prison term if convicted, and gardai could expect many criminals to put up a fight when approached by gardai," the source added.

"Learning that some of the guns were loaded and ready for use shows how dangerous the situation could have been but thankfully the arrests were made and a massive quantity of drugs was taken off the streets," they explained.